Okay...back before all this French stuff...and way before Tommy Steele, I discovered what has got to be the coolest under-the-radar music, ever. It's Celtic Rock. And I don't mean it's traditional Scottish or Irish music played a little upbeat. The bands of Celtic rock write awesome original music, sometimes with a traditional flavor, with the sound additions of fiddle and bagpipe. And you'd be bloody amazed at how well they fit in. The bagpipe, actually, serves the same purpose as second guitar in a regular rock band. And tons of top artists have used violin, so that's nothing new.
You see, a few centuries ago, quite a bit of the Appalachian was settled heavily by Scottish and Irish immigrants who brought not only their customs, but their music. The descendents of these first immigrants continued to play their fiddles and bagpipes in the old traditions, but it eventually evolved into what we now know as Bluegrass. But then the sounds of Bluegrass spawned a newer musical sound that captured the hearts and dancing feet of the nation. Country music became the grandchild in a direct line of descent. Then, in the mid 1950’s, someone decided it would sound different to put the accent on the 4th beat of a country riff, and Rock ‘n’ Roll was born. From its first baby steps, Rock ‘n’ Roll has gone through many changes – hard rock, acid rock, punk, heavy metal, hair band, grunge, modern rock and so on. Yet, through it all, three elements have remained a constant: a guitar, a bass guitar and a drum kit. And Celtic Rock has them all. Electric guitar and bass, and full drum kit. But where Celtic Rock differs from the others is that it also includes bagpipe and fiddle. The sound isn’t country, it isn’t Bluegrass and it’s more than just plain rock. It’s as if Rock has reached back through time to take the hand if its own ancestor to complete the circle and create a sound like no other.
The ex used to be really into going to the Scottish festivals in the area, and it was at one of these that I first saw Seven Nations. http://www.sevennations.com/home.php
I was a fan from the moment I saw them. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any music or video clips to link to. But do download the music. Their early stuff has more of a traditional flavor than the later stuff, then they went soft rock for one release...but their most recent CD, "Thanks for Waiting", is awesome! It totally rocks! And the song "Waltz for Crystelle" is a riot. But then again, any song with the back up lyics "'cause you suck!" has got to be fun!
For those of you who like some really cool rock, I know there is some Seven Nations out there to download. Here are the songs to look for: Waltz for Crystelle, of course One Foot Ordinary Tradition Somethin' Somethin' It's Alright Twelve (beautiful ballad) Up to Me Big Yellow Bus Daze of Grace All You People Big Dog Our Day Will Come Under the Milky Way
You see, a few centuries ago, quite a bit of the Appalachian was settled heavily by Scottish and Irish immigrants who brought not only their customs, but their music. The descendents of these first immigrants continued to play their fiddles and bagpipes in the old traditions, but it eventually evolved into what we now know as Bluegrass. But then the sounds of Bluegrass spawned a newer musical sound that captured the hearts and dancing feet of the nation. Country music became the grandchild in a direct line of descent. Then, in the mid 1950’s, someone decided it would sound different to put the accent on the 4th beat of a country riff, and Rock ‘n’ Roll was born. From its first baby steps, Rock ‘n’ Roll has gone through many changes – hard rock, acid rock, punk, heavy metal, hair band, grunge, modern rock and so on. Yet, through it all, three elements have remained a constant: a guitar, a bass guitar and a drum kit.
And Celtic Rock has them all. Electric guitar and bass, and full drum kit. But where Celtic Rock differs from the others is that it also includes bagpipe and fiddle. The sound isn’t country, it isn’t Bluegrass and it’s more than just plain rock. It’s as if Rock has reached back through time to take the hand if its own ancestor to complete the circle and create a sound like no other.
The ex used to be really into going to the Scottish festivals in the area, and it was at one of these that I first saw Seven Nations. http://www.sevennations.com/home.php
I was a fan from the moment I saw them. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any music or video clips to link to. But do download the music. Their early stuff has more of a traditional flavor than the later stuff, then they went soft rock for one release...but their most recent CD, "Thanks for Waiting", is awesome! It totally rocks! And the song "Waltz for Crystelle" is a riot. But then again, any song with the back up lyics "'cause you suck!" has got to be fun!
For those of you who like some really cool rock, I know there is some Seven Nations out there to download. Here are the songs to look for:
Waltz for Crystelle, of course
One Foot
Ordinary
Tradition
Somethin' Somethin'
It's Alright
Twelve (beautiful ballad)
Up to Me
Big Yellow Bus
Daze of Grace
All You People
Big Dog
Our Day Will Come
Under the Milky Way